Hatha where have you been?
There is another studio I have researched in Vancouver, and I must say the Semperviva yoga experience is much different from YYoga. I do like them both very much, but when it comes down to it there is no comparing the two. I am going to attempt to do so any way.
When checking out the schedule on line Semperviva is a hatha-based practice. Every class is essentially all levels, which is nice. You practice with all ages. Next to me on my left was a woman in her late 60’s early 70‘s, and to my right was a woman in her 40’s. We all had different body styles, and levels of comfort. Practicing with such a mix of people is really nice. These people were all yogis, serious about their practice, and not going to the upscale studio to be cool whatever that means. I belong to a very trendy gym in Los Angeles if that makes me cool then so be it.
However, I’m not cool I just like having a steam room and a shower available to me after a yoga class. Financially it works out to be less expensive to belong to my gym then to a studio. Studios in Los Angeles are like Semperviva yoga. You sign in and take a class then leave. Yyoga is like an Equinox it has showers, a sauna, and towel service. Just for the record Yyoga is more expensive per month then the gym I belong to in Los Angeles. That is without the towel service and mat service. The classes are amazing though and the staff is awesome. If you are new to yoga studios can be over whelming, but places like Yyoga make this amazing practice more accessible to a higher end audience. There is no farting at YYoga.
So I needed to try out a more studio style practice in Vancouver.
Semperviva in Kits is great. The hatha class was exactly what I was expecting it to be. Truthfully, I was a little nervous to try hatha out here because the other studio had been so different from my expatiations. Even though I was trying to let go if any preconceived notions I am still human, and that’s where I am today. The class itself was a straight up hatha practice; the teacher was calm, helpful and gave a million instructions. This class was like eating comfort food. I was truly so relaxed and happy when I left. This class left me calm all day long.
The only thing any of these classes truly needs is a more philosophical approach to yoga. The teachers spend most of the class talking about form, foundation, and structure. Now all these things are exceedingly important, but many of my favorite teachers also talk about the philosophy behind yoga. Why we practice, what it means to have a moving meditation, why should we breathe a certain way. Why our energy in the room can affect someone next to us. I could go on for hours, but that will be a different entry. Back to Vancouver and my practice here. I am glad I have gotten to experience these studios, and for the next week will talk more about Semperviva yoga. I will leave you with my love for Vancouver.
Living here for a month has been amazing. I jump on my bicycle and go. It is a healthier life style and much more social of a place then I have experienced in the passed few years of coming up here. Maybe it is me that has changed, and I am starting to see this city in a new light. Maybe it is the community I am living in I don’t know. What I do know is that Vancouver is an amazing city, and its residents are lucky to be here.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Non grasping.
Non grasping.
Now that I have let go of expecting my flow classes in Vancouver to be just like the classes in Los Angeles I have begun to enjoy the classes much more. That being said my two-week introduction offer to Yyoga is over and this saddens me. I could place more money on my account, but there is one more studio I want to check out first.
I will say this; YYoga is my kind of yoga studio, and upon a return stay I will become a member there. There are many different classes to choose from, and everyone who works there is kind. I took many classes at the Yaletown location and the S. Granville location. I did like the Granville location better only because the temperature in the studio is better regulated for me. These are my three favorite teachers who’s classes I have taken. Andrea, Rachel, and Elle they all teach at S. Granville and other locations as well, but based only on my preference these are the teachers I will continue to take classes from.
The class I took today was with Andrea and I left feeling like a million dollars. It was the one hour lunchtime flow except this time I just let go of my idea of what the class should have been and inhaled. Then I exhaled, and all of a sudden the class was over. My mind was blank, my breath was the only thing in the room besides a voice telling me what to do. It was really nice. Many people have a home practice, but I like to be in a studio. It is easier for me to just focus on my breath when I am surrounded by other people instead of being surrounded by my things.
On the way back from my after noon yoga class today I had to stop for Indian food. I felt it would match my meditated state that I was in after my last class. Saravann Bhavan is officially my favorite Indian place in Vancouver. Note: this is a completely vegetarian restaurant and I am a strict meat eater, but the food is soo good it makes no difference to me that my protein was coming from chickpeas, and lentils. Sometimes I am the chickpea, and sometimes I must eat the chickpeas. Thank you Rumi.
Now that I have let go of expecting my flow classes in Vancouver to be just like the classes in Los Angeles I have begun to enjoy the classes much more. That being said my two-week introduction offer to Yyoga is over and this saddens me. I could place more money on my account, but there is one more studio I want to check out first.
I will say this; YYoga is my kind of yoga studio, and upon a return stay I will become a member there. There are many different classes to choose from, and everyone who works there is kind. I took many classes at the Yaletown location and the S. Granville location. I did like the Granville location better only because the temperature in the studio is better regulated for me. These are my three favorite teachers who’s classes I have taken. Andrea, Rachel, and Elle they all teach at S. Granville and other locations as well, but based only on my preference these are the teachers I will continue to take classes from.
The class I took today was with Andrea and I left feeling like a million dollars. It was the one hour lunchtime flow except this time I just let go of my idea of what the class should have been and inhaled. Then I exhaled, and all of a sudden the class was over. My mind was blank, my breath was the only thing in the room besides a voice telling me what to do. It was really nice. Many people have a home practice, but I like to be in a studio. It is easier for me to just focus on my breath when I am surrounded by other people instead of being surrounded by my things.
On the way back from my after noon yoga class today I had to stop for Indian food. I felt it would match my meditated state that I was in after my last class. Saravann Bhavan is officially my favorite Indian place in Vancouver. Note: this is a completely vegetarian restaurant and I am a strict meat eater, but the food is soo good it makes no difference to me that my protein was coming from chickpeas, and lentils. Sometimes I am the chickpea, and sometimes I must eat the chickpeas. Thank you Rumi.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Better
This was a better fit!
Today I tried a flow class at the South Grandville YYoga. I prefer this studio to the one in Yale town. The temperature is regulated better, and the studio itself was just more what I am visually used to. The shower room was nice, and the studio was one large room.
I walked there from where I am living. I did not take the main street, but walked down 8th instead. I like walking through neighbor hoods. The architecture is kind of different from Los Angeles it is a nice change.
The flow class was different then what I am accustom to but, the instructor was really experienced and explained everything well. There is one thing I miss about the yoga I am used to practicing. The flow classes I take are faster paced then the ones I have been taking here. I think the difference stems from cultural life styles. Americans in general seem to be in a hurry to relax. That being said we are in a hurry to do anything, because its just part of our culture. Vancouver is not fast paced, but the same amount of work gets done in the same amount of time. People live a lifestyle here their jobs do not define them.
Being in this type of atmosphere can be why the flow classes I like to take just don’t exist. I have now sampled many different teachers, but have not experienced a, “yes I love this” feeling. I am missing some of my teachers at home.
Regardless of my feelings tomorrow is another day and a new instructor who I may just adore. You never know. Yoga is never bad its always good, and you can get something from any class.
Today I tried a flow class at the South Grandville YYoga. I prefer this studio to the one in Yale town. The temperature is regulated better, and the studio itself was just more what I am visually used to. The shower room was nice, and the studio was one large room.
I walked there from where I am living. I did not take the main street, but walked down 8th instead. I like walking through neighbor hoods. The architecture is kind of different from Los Angeles it is a nice change.
The flow class was different then what I am accustom to but, the instructor was really experienced and explained everything well. There is one thing I miss about the yoga I am used to practicing. The flow classes I take are faster paced then the ones I have been taking here. I think the difference stems from cultural life styles. Americans in general seem to be in a hurry to relax. That being said we are in a hurry to do anything, because its just part of our culture. Vancouver is not fast paced, but the same amount of work gets done in the same amount of time. People live a lifestyle here their jobs do not define them.
Being in this type of atmosphere can be why the flow classes I like to take just don’t exist. I have now sampled many different teachers, but have not experienced a, “yes I love this” feeling. I am missing some of my teachers at home.
Regardless of my feelings tomorrow is another day and a new instructor who I may just adore. You never know. Yoga is never bad its always good, and you can get something from any class.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Vancouver yoga
Yoga outside the USA.
Now I love to try new things, so during my certification process I am taking different classes to broaden my horizons. In Los Angeles flow and ashtanga yoga are the most popular. Followed by Iyengar, bikram etc. In Vancouver there are many different styles and labels for these classes. Hot yoga is popular here, so I asked a yoga instructor at YYoga what it was all about, and my understanding is that it is a nice version of bikram yoga. During my stay I am taking classes at YYoga. It is a really cool facility with showers, towel, and yoga mat services. I think only yoga works has showers in a studio setting.
I do have one issue with the studio I am taking classes at. The studio itself is really nice, all the teachers, staff, and layout are all awesome, but it’s constantly so hot in the yoga rooms I can't acclimate. Before any of the classes sweat is already dripping from my neck, by the end of the class I am soaked. Now some may like this, but hot rooms make it easy to injure yourself. This being said my level of concern for myself in these classes starts to effect my meditation, and confidence in poses. Until half way through the class I am not able to let go and be sure I am warm enough to do the poses, and know for certain what my limitations are on that given day.
I did mention this to an instructor because I assumed all studios were kept warm like this, but she informed me that this studio in particular is just hotter then average, and the other classes like power, or anusara are supposed to be done at room temperature. I am going to try out a different YYoga to check out the differences in facilities.
Anusara yoga is so different for me. It is like iyengar, but moves quicker and concentrates on one or two poses that also concentrate on certain muscles in the body. I have enjoyed this style of class, and will probably continue to go to the Monday class for the duration of my stay in Vancouver.
Now I love to try new things, so during my certification process I am taking different classes to broaden my horizons. In Los Angeles flow and ashtanga yoga are the most popular. Followed by Iyengar, bikram etc. In Vancouver there are many different styles and labels for these classes. Hot yoga is popular here, so I asked a yoga instructor at YYoga what it was all about, and my understanding is that it is a nice version of bikram yoga. During my stay I am taking classes at YYoga. It is a really cool facility with showers, towel, and yoga mat services. I think only yoga works has showers in a studio setting.
I do have one issue with the studio I am taking classes at. The studio itself is really nice, all the teachers, staff, and layout are all awesome, but it’s constantly so hot in the yoga rooms I can't acclimate. Before any of the classes sweat is already dripping from my neck, by the end of the class I am soaked. Now some may like this, but hot rooms make it easy to injure yourself. This being said my level of concern for myself in these classes starts to effect my meditation, and confidence in poses. Until half way through the class I am not able to let go and be sure I am warm enough to do the poses, and know for certain what my limitations are on that given day.
I did mention this to an instructor because I assumed all studios were kept warm like this, but she informed me that this studio in particular is just hotter then average, and the other classes like power, or anusara are supposed to be done at room temperature. I am going to try out a different YYoga to check out the differences in facilities.
Anusara yoga is so different for me. It is like iyengar, but moves quicker and concentrates on one or two poses that also concentrate on certain muscles in the body. I have enjoyed this style of class, and will probably continue to go to the Monday class for the duration of my stay in Vancouver.
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